North Idaho College is a comprehensive community college established in 1933 on the shores of Lake Coeur d'Alene at the headwaters of the Spokane River. NIC's vibrant college community includes 5,000+ students enrolled in credit courses and more than 4,400 students taking non-credit courses. College faculty and staff relentlessly focus on providing a rich, rewarding higher education experience for every student.
NIC offers a broad spectrum of career paths for students to choose from, with more than 80 academic degree, and career and technical education certificate programs. These career pathways at NIC cover various interest areas, including arts, communications and humanities; healthcare; science, technology, engineering and math; business administration and management; manufacturing and trades; and social sciences and human services.
With state-of-the-art facilities, the college's beautiful main campus is in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, a waterfront city of 52,400 residents. Coeur d'Alene lies within Kootenai County, which is home to 165,000 citizens. The larger city of Spokane, Washington, is just 34 miles west. The greater Spokane-Coeur d'Alene metropolitan area, with a population of 734,000+, is the economic and cultural center of the U.S. Inland Northwest.
NIC plays a vital role in the region's economic development by preparing competent, trained employees for area businesses, industries, and governmental agencies.
Beyond Coeur d'Alene, NIC meets the diverse educational needs of residents of Idaho's five northern counties with the NIC Sandpoint center in Sandpoint, Idaho, online services and courses, and comprehensive outreach services. The college's regional facilities include the NIC Parker Technical Education Center in Rathdrum and the Workforce Training Center in Post Falls.
Facts and Information Brochure
North Idaho College was first known as Coeur d'Alene Junior College, a private school that was started in 1933 and operated for six years. The state legislature passed the Junior College Act in January 1939, which permitted qualified areas to establish junior college districts by a vote of eligible electors. Coeur d'Alene Junior College became North Idaho Junior College in June of 1939. On July 31, 1971, the college changed its name to North Idaho College. NIC's service area is the Idaho Panhandle, which includes Kootenai, Benewah, Bonner, Shoshone, and Boundary Counties.
More on NIC's History
NIC subscribes to the philosophy of the comprehensive community college, including an "open-door" admissions policy. To truly reflect its role as a community college, NIC accepts the fundamental responsibility to meet the varying needs of individuals with widely divergent interests and abilities. At the same time, NIC seeks to respond to the needs of area businesses, industries, and governmental agencies by preparing competent, trained employees.
The commitment to an open-door admissions policy is defined as providing all eligible students with access to appropriate educational offerings at the college. NIC enrolls students seeking a post-secondary education, but reserves the right to guide students into the courses and programs that will enhance their opportunities for success.
Certain designated courses of study have special requirements for admission. The college tests and evaluates entering students to place them in the appropriate level courses.
